The issue of a contested will in the estate of a Portsmouth widow valued at nearly $2 million is back in court.

Geraldine Webber was in her 90s when she passed away in December after she drew up a new will months earlier. The will gave her estate to a Portsmouth police sergeant, but the previous beneficiaries are contesting it.

But the previous beneficiaries fighting the new will said her state of mind is central to the case, and that because a police officer is involved, the public has a right to know.

Webber signed the new will in May 2012. She befriended Sgt. Aaron Goodwin after he answered a call to her home. Beneficiaries of her 2009 will said Webber had dementia.

Attorney Gary Holmes, who drafted the new will, was in court with his attorney to ask the judge to keep the medical information private as the probate case moves forward.

"All of us have a legally recognized privacy interest in our confidential medical information and our confidential communications with our counsel," said Ralph Holmes, who represents Gary Holmes. "That was true for Ms. Webber as well. My client has a duty to try to honor that privacy interest."

Ten attorneys were at the hearing, with three appealing for the public's right to know.

"Although Ms. Webber was not a public official, there are allegations in this case against a public official," said attorney David Eby.

Eby represents Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute and Shriner's Hospital. Their benefits were reduced by about 90 percent in the new will.

An attorney for Webber's grandson, who was left out of the 2012 will, said he wants the information to be public. Attorney Paul McEachern represents four individuals.

"The issue in this case is whether or not a public official exerted undue influence over a 92-year-old widow in making up her will and trust from a position which he gained through his official duties as a Portsmouth police officer," McEachern said.

Goodwin wasn't at the hearing, but his attorney said he denies allegations of taking advantage of Webber in any way. The Portsmouth city attorney was there but made no comment.